Burglar trap



-March19,1940. B NNETT 2,194,415

BURGLAR TRAP Filed April 27-, 19 38 s Sheets-Shget 1 I nvmtm I AttorneysMarch 19, 1940. M. E. BENNETT 2,194,415

BURGLAR TRAP Filed April 27, 1958 s Sheet s-Sheet 2 Inventor March 19,1940.

Filed April 27, 1938 M. E. BENNETT BURGLAR TRAP 0 I a/ N V 64!,Attp'meys 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 L I w Patented Mar. 19 1940 BURGLAR TRAPMoses Edwin Bennett, Detroit, Mich, as'signor of one-half to Dotcy Isom,Detroit, Mich.

A astas a-:1 27, 1938; Serial No. 204,668 iClaim. (or 70-97) The presentinvention relates to new and useful improvements in burglar traps foruse particularly in banks and hasfor one of its important'objects toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a trap of this characterwhich is in the form of any desired numbergof normally open gates whichmay be instantly closed when desired from any one of a number of remotepoints foreffectively preventing the escape of.

the burglar from the bank or other building. Another important object ofthe invention is to provide a burglar trap of the aforementionedcharacter embodying novel means for closing the gates when said gatesare released, together with novel means for securing the gates in closedposition. v i

Other objects of the invention are to provide a burglar trap of. thecharacter described which will 'be comparatively simple in construction,strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and whichmay be manufactured and installed at low cost.-

All of the foregoing and still further objects.

and'advantages of the invention will become ap parent from a studyof thefollowing specifica- Figure 3 is a detail view in vertical section gatesin through the lock which secures the closed position.

Figure 4 is a detail View principallyin vertical section through one ofthe magnetically operated latches which secure the gates in'openposition. Figure 5 is a detail view in-perspective of the magneticallyoperated gate retaining bolt shown Y in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail view in vertical section, taken substantially onthe line 8 6 of Figure 2,

showing the mounting of one of the gates on its track. v

Figure 7 is a fragmentary viewin horizontal section through one of thegates, taken substantially on the line 1-l of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprisesa frame I of any suitable dimensions and mateings 15. As illustrated toadvantagein Figure 4 rial in the center of which a vertical column orpost 2 is provided. As'best seen in Figure 3of the'drawings, the columnor post 2 is of hollow construction. The column or post 2 may besuitably ornamented and, if desired, a clock may be mounted in the upperportion thereof. The post Zis provided with openings 20 in its sides.

- Mounted in the frame l for operation on opposite sides of the post 2are foldable gates which are designated generally by the reference nuwmoral Each gate 3 includes pairs of spaced slats l (see Figure 7) whichare connected by pivoted links 5. The construction and arrangement issuchv that when the gates are in open position the 1inks5, fold betweenthe pairs of slats .4 and the verticalcdges of said slats are inabutting engagement with each other asshown to advantage in Figure 1 ofthe drawings. Toggles 6 are pivotally connected to the outer and innerpairs of slats 4 of each gate 3 and connected to the joints of saidtoggles 6 are coil springs? which yieldingly urge the gates towardclosed position, as is believed to be-apparent. One end of the coilsprings 1 is connected to the adjacent slat of each gate. I Y i Thegates 3 are, of course, mounted on the side membersof the frame I, theoutermost slats being fixed to said frame, and being stationary. Thegates 3 travel on tracks 8 which are provided therefor in the upperportion of the frame I, said tracks extending from the sides of saidframe to the post2. As'best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings,v groovedrollers 9 are provided for suspending the slats 4 of the gates. on thetracks 8. v I I Mounted at an intermediate point in the hollow post 2 isa casing. H) for the reception of hooks II on the free innerends of thegates 3. 1 Mounted on a vertical support 2| in the casing H3 is a doubleend resilient latch" 12 which is engageable with the hooks H for,securing the gates 3 in closed position. Openings I3 are providedin thefront of the casing I0 for the insertion of a key .for' flexing thelatchl2 when it is desired to release the gates. The-casing I0 45 isfurther provided with openings 22 aligned with the post openings 2% forreceiving the hooks ll Hollow arms 14 extend inwardly from the ver ticalsides of the'frame l above the tracks 8 and. mounted on the inner endsof said arms are hous- 6o of the drawings, bolts it are mounted forvertical sliding movement in the housingscl5, said bolts beingengageable with theupper ends of the comparativelylong innermost slatsof the hooks H on the free inner ends thereof enter gates 3. The boltsit are operatively connected to electro-magnets l! in the housings H bylevers 1%. Signal lights {9 are mounted on the housings l5.

Briefly, the operation of the invention is as follows:

The gates 3 are normally held in open position by the bolts it, in whichposition the springs l are under tension, as suggested in Figure .l'ofthe drawings. The electro-inagnets I? are in circuit with any desirednumber of control switches located at remote points throughout the bankor other establishment. When one of the control switches 'isclosed theelectro-mag- I nets I? are energized for retracting the bolts 16 andreleasing the gates, thus permitting the springs i to close the gatesthrough the medium of the togglesii. The signal lights 19 are energizedsimultaneously with the releasingiof the,

gates. When the gates reach closed position, the

the casing it) and operatively engage the resilient douhlelatch ii forsecuring .the gates in closed position, as hereinbefore explained. Torelease the gates, keys are inserted in' the openings i3 and thenrotated in a manner to function as cams foriflexing the resilient latch12 out of engagement" with the hooks ii. When the electro-magne'ts H aredeenergized, the bolts l6 return to projected or operative position foragain retaining the gates inopen position. If desired, the gates may beoperatively connected with;

suitable electricsignals locatedin police stations and at other pointsfor indicating when the gates are closed. It is intended that theinvention be interposed in a fence within the bank, the gates I withinthe scopeioi the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: y

A look for a burglar trap. comprising a hollowpost having openings inthe sides thereof, 2. cas- 'ing mounted in the post and having openingstherein communicating with the first named openings, a'vertical supportin the casing, and a,

resilient latch secured .interrnecliateits ends on' the support; saidlatch hawlnghooks on its ends forengagihg and retaining complementalhooks onclosures, the casing further having keyholes therein for thereception of a key for flexing the resilient latch to releasingposition.

' MOSES: EDWIN BENNETT.

